…as experts blame hepatitis B
By Sandra Agyeiwaa OTOO
Ghana has been identified as having one of the highest rates of liver cancer globally, with health professionals attributing this alarming statistic primarily to the widespread prevalence of hepatitis B.
Dr. Robert Gish, Medical Director-Hepatitis B Foundation in Doylestown, United States, described the situation as dire – particularly in northern Ghana where prevalence rates are among the world’s highest.
“Ghana records the world’s highest liver cancer rate, with Mongolia being the only country that comes close. This is a fatal disease because diagnosis is often delayed. Prevalence, especially in Northern Region, is among the highest globally,” . Gish stated in an interview.
He emphasised that hepatitis B, while infectious, is preventable and manageable through routine testing, treatment, vaccination and behavioural change. Transmission occurs primarily through blood and intimate contact – not casual contact such as handshakes or shared meals.
“Stigma and misinformation continue to fuel discrimination, which exacerbates the crisis. One in four people living with hepatitis B will die from complications such as cirrhosis or cancer,” he added.
High treatment costs hinder access
Despite the availability of affordable treatment at the source – costing as little as US$2.40 per month – Ghanaians are paying significantly more due to steep mark-ups in the distribution chain.
“The cost escalates to as much as US$50 per month in local pharmacies. This system of inflated pricing must be dismantled. We need direct supply channels from importation through public hospitals to patients,” Dr. Gish urged.
He asserted that Ghana is on the brink of eradicating hepatitis B, but this requires a national push for mass-testing, early treatment and the introduction of birth-dose vaccination.
Call for partnership and reform
Highlighting the Hepatitis B Foundation’s global reach, Dr. Gish called on Ghana’s media to partner in raising awareness.
“The Foundation engages with over 11,000 individuals annually across more than 40 languages. We need the media to help take this message nationwide,” he said.
Transmission Risks and Socioeconomic Impact
Dr. Amoako Duah, a gastroenterologist at the University of Ghana Medical Centre, outlined the transmission risks. He explained that hepatitis B is commonly passed from infected mothers to newborns or among family members in close contact.
“In Ghana, vertical transmission – from mother to child – is the most prevalent. Other significant routes include sexual contact and exposure to infected blood,” he noted.
Dr. Duah also underscored the financial barriers facing patients. “Evaluation alone can cost up to GH¢1,000, while treatment may cost GH¢300 monthly. Unfortunately, hepatitis B management is not covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme.”
Rural communities left behind
Theobald Owusu-Ansah, President-Hepatitis B Foundation of Ghana, lamented the lack of awareness in rural areas – noting that many people are entirely unaware of the disease.
“While awareness is improving in urban centres like Accra and Kumasi, rural communities remain uninformed. In some areas, the term ‘hepatitis B’ means nothing to residents,” he said.
He further highlighted employment discrimination against people living with the virus. “Many companies avoid hiring individuals with hepatitis B due to the perceived long-term treatment costs.
He stressed an urgent need for education, testing and equitable access to treatment – especially in remote areas, to curb the spread and impact of the disease.
Eradication
Health experts believe hepatitis B in Ghana is preventable through proactive policy and public health investment. A holistic strategy involving government, civil society and international partners is required to reduce infections, improve treatment access and ultimately eradicate the virus.
